Coping Mechanism of Balinese Music: The Case of Kuta Tourist Destination in Bali, Indonesia

Ni Wayan Ardini, I Nyoman Cahyadi Wijaya, I Ketut Astawa, I Gede Mudana, Derinta Entas

Ni Wayan Ardini is coordinator of the Arts Education Master’s Program at ISI Bali. She earned her Master’s in Cultural Studies from Udayana University (2016). Beyond academia, she is a songwriter, Balinese music composer, and a judge in regional music competitions, contributing actively to the preservation and evolution of Balinese performing arts.
I Nyoman Cahyadi Wijaya is a seasoned tourism practitioner focused on culture and gastronomy. He served as a registered expert since 2022-2024 at the Ministry of Research and Higher Education in gastronomy arts for vocational education. Since 2024, he has been a full-time lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism, Convention and Events Management at Universitas Pendidikan Nasional.
I Ketut Astawa is a lecturer at Politeknik Negeri Bali, specializing in Tourism Management and Marketing. He holds a Master’s in Management from Udayana University. Born and raised in Kuta, he has contributed significantly to the development of tourism in Bali, particularly in revitalizing Kuta’s appeal as a tourism hub.
I Gede Mudana is Professor of Cultural Tourism and former Head of the Master’s Program in Applied Tourism Planning at Politeknik Negeri Bali. He holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and leads innovative tourism promotion projects, including metaverse-based campaigns for destinations like Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.
Derinta Entas is Director of Sahid Polytechnic (2023-2025). She is an expert in Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Tourism, and Tourism Marketing. Her academic interests include qualitative social research and cultural heritage studies, with a strong focus on preserving and promoting Indonesia’s intangible cultural assets through education and community engagement.

ABSTRACT
Kuta, Bali, has undergone rapid tourism-driven transformation, significantly impacting its cultural landscape, particularly traditional Balinese music. The influx of globalized entertainment and shifting tourist demographics has led to the marginalization of traditional musical practices, raising concerns about cultural erosion. This study employs qualitative study to analyze the coping mechanism used by the Balinese community in preserving their musical traditions. Findings suggest that adaptive strategies, including musical hybridization, educational initiatives, and digital engagement, play a crucial role in sustaining Balinese music traditions. The study underscores the necessity of a multi-stakeholder approach, incorporating local government, tourism industry players, musicians, and digital media to balance economic demands with cultural sustainability, by fostering mindful tourism, Kuta can transition from a site of cultural erosion to one of cultural resilience, ensuring the enduring presence of Balinese music in a globalized era. This research contributes to broader discussions on cultural resilience, globalization, and sustainable tourism, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional arts into contemporary tourism experiences.
KEYWORDS
Balinese music preservation; cultural tourism; globalization and modernization